Readme file for the scenario:

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Blood & Steel Redux

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A Civ2 scenario by Stephan Sander a.k.a. jim panse, November 2003, revisited April 2005

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Contents:

(1) Background information to the World of Blood & Steel

(2) Basic gameplay information

(3) Information on some units

(4) Information on city improvements and wonders

(5) Roll of Honour

(6) Version Changes

(7) Contact information

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(1) Background information to the World of Blood & Steel

* ALTERNATE TIMELINE TO THE GREATER WAR

1914 - The Great War engulfes Europe in a traumatic struggle for dominance.

1915 - Italy enters the fray on the German side, France asks for an armistice.

1916 - Major German offensives in Russia, Battle of Jutland; the Columbus Incident leads to a major US intervention in Mexico.

1917 - Russia sues for peace when a anti-Czarist rebellion breaks out; Germany promises help ... Great Britain ceases to fight and starts planning the next round while the Americans decide to have punished the Mexicans enough and are occupying now the lands North of Mexico City.

1918 - At the major peace conference in Heidelberg the Zollverein is founded.

1919 - France hands Tunesia over to Italy, Belgium the Congo to Germany.

1921 - Begin of the Rif Insurrection against France in Morocco.

1922 - Revanchist Mussolini comes to power in Rome and proclaims the renewal of the Roman Empire.

1927 - The Jazz Singer, the first sound film is released.

1929 - Black Friday leads to World Economic Crises

1931 - The Mexican National Council decides on war with the US occupying forces

1932 - 16 September: begin of the Second Mexican War of Independence

1932 - Franklin Roosevelt is elected US president promising to end the Mexican War

1933 - A new major offensive is announced by FDR in his inaugural address

* THE NATIONS

United States of America - playable
Gone through the Great War without having had to fight themselves the United States suffered serious problems after the Black Thursday in 1929 and is now only slowly recovering with some workers protests still brewing in certain industrial centers. The U.S. has to recover first before thinking of intervening anywhere.

Reichslande - playable
After the victory in the Great War Germany was undoubtedly the master of Europe. After achieving this goal Wilhelm II told his people what the next achievement shall be someday: Global Dominance!

Imperio Romano - playable
It has always been Mussolinis dread to resurrect the Roman Empire and bring back the days of ancient Rome, with the Eternal City as head of the world. Now he took his chance and has to face destiny ...

British Empire - playable
Undefeated by Germany Britain simply stopped fighting and signed an armistice. But on both sides of the Channel men know that the final showdown between the Germans and the British must and will take place someday. Maybe someday soon ...

Kingdom of France - playable
After the defeat in the Great War a predecessor of Napolon IV became King, not Emperor, of France. The use of the title emperor was forbidden by the victor of the Great War, Wilhelm II of Germany. Now France is still allied with Russia and all it wants is revenge. But when can Germany finally be challenged?

Ottoman Empire - playable
For centuries the 'Weak Man on the Marmara Strait' seemed more dead than alive but after victory in the Great War the glory days of the Ottoman Empire seem to have come back as most of the Balkans is now again under the control of the Sultan of Istanbul.

Russian Empire - playable
In 1916, one year after the humiliating defeat, the Russian Revolution swept the old Czar Nicholas II away and his 21 year-old nephew Ivan, nick-named 'The Rebuilder', promised to his people to 'make Russia  great again that every Russian can be proud of it'. The alliance with France was strenghtened and renewed and all of Russia is dreaming of marching Unter den Linden in Berlin.

(2) Basic gameplay information

* ABOUT THE CONCEPT

Do whatever you want to - this one is intended to feature both, horrible warfare of the mid-20th century and wicked diplomacy. Enjoy :-)

* ABOUT THE GAMEPLAY IN GENERAL TERMS

The protagonists are the Romans, they start of with a small territory and a rather large army and navy. The idea is to ready the Roman forces to move them to Spain and the Balkans to regain the lands of the antique Roman Empire. Please keep in mind that attacking France and/or Turkey means war with the Reichslande - you should not do that until your forces are really ready.

The Reichslande - as the United States - enjoy a very good starting position though their economies - like the British too - however, suffer from major economic problems since these three countries and Mexico start with the so-called "Post War Gov" (which is vanilla Monarchy renamed). The idea behind is that the player is forced to research the so-called "Reform Gov" (renamed vanilla Republic) in order to get the economy back onto its feet.

Unfortunately many military aspects had to be left out due to the Civ2 game engine. I, however, included several key technologies which also appeared in the original timeline. These include tactical and strategic bombing, the atomic bomb, panzer respective tank warfare and poison (nerve) gas.

Many socio-cultural events had to be left out due to the same reasons as pointed out above but some of the most important are still represented, with an emphasis on advances in the administrative and social sectors.

(3) Information on some units

Please refer to the pedia file!

(4) Information on city improvements and wonders

Same as (3).

(5) Roll of Honour

Among the "usual suspects" like Sid Meier, Captain Nemo & Alex the Magnificient, Fairline, Typhoon and Curt Sibling some fellows from various Civ2 forums rank supreme as well:

* Sarsstock - not only for his outstanding title artwork but also for his imagination and advice during the early days of the developing of the legacy of Blood & Steel, and not to forget his pre-BETA-release playtesting as well as his graphical skills when it comes to adding camo to units!

* Krger - his pre-BTEA-release playtesting kicks ass and was essential so far!

* Harry Tuttle - his map fro Atomic Eagle I was the basis for this slightly edited version this scenario is taking place.

* Pablostuka & Nilat/Stalin II - for his dedicated playtesting and bug-hunting efforts!

All the fine fellows and Co-Civ2-Addicts at the Apolyton Army Headquarters! 
All the fine fellows and Co-Civ2-Addicts at the CDG Army Headquarters!


Gentlemen, I salute you all!

(6) Version Changes

* Revamped graphics;
* Edited stas to fit the stackable terrain feature
* Added a generic colonial infantry unit
* Added some more units here and there

(7) Contact information

I am @ steph_sander@hotmail.com (also MSN) for complaints, insults & payment checks ;)

Happy Warring!